La bombe H française
Un commentaire autorisé
Ara Barsamian, américain, a reçu une formation d'ingénieur électricien à l'Université de New-York, avec spécialisation en physique du solide, a enseigné l'Electrical Engineering dans la même Université, a travaillé pour diverses compagnies américaines, et est devenu membre du Nuclear Non-Proliferation Institute (NNPI). A ce titre il a eu connaissance de l'article de Pierre Billaud et Venance Journé publié dans le numéro de Juillet 2008 de la Non Proliferation Review (1), sur la bombe H française. Il a eu ainsi connaissance de mes ouvrages et articles Internet sur la Bombe H française, et notamment ceux qui ont commenté le livre de Robert Dautray paru à Paris en février 2007.En fin connaisseur des technologies thermonucléaires, il a rédigé le commentaire ci-dessous, qu'il a bien voulu m'autoriser à éditer ici. Ce document est privé et ne peut être exploité ou diffusé en aucune façon. Le texte en est donné tel quel, avec son style direct et parfois tranchant, mais j'ai jugé nécessaire de masquer deux termes qui risquaient d'apparaître offensants. P.B.
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June 8, 2008
Mr. P. Billaud, France
Dear Mr. Billaud:
I read your very interesting history of the development of French nuclear weapons, and I was shocked by your comments regarding Robert Dautray's falsifications.
I therefore acquired a copy of Dautray's "Memoires - Du Vel d'Hiv a la Bombe H", and read it. I am sorry to say that you are 100% correct regarding the technical errors in his book regarding the principles of design and operation of a modern radiation imploded thermonuclear weapon, which imply a couple of things:
As you know, we had a similarly unpleasant episode in the US, where many people, particularly at Los Alamos, have tried unsuccessfully to discredit Teller's seminal contribution to the invention of the US H-bomb, and the antagonism eventually led to the establishment of the Livermore laboratory.
In any case, I commend you for your energy and perseverance in trying to bring to light the truth. I am however surprised that you did not have many ex-DAM colleagues come forward more energetically with the truth, or that there is no public DAM history of such a momentous development.
Again, thank you for your contribution to the history of nuclear weapons development.
Your sincerely,
Ara Barsamian
Mr. P. Billaud, France
Dear Mr. Billaud:
I read your very interesting history of the development of French nuclear weapons, and I was shocked by your comments regarding Robert Dautray's falsifications.
I therefore acquired a copy of Dautray's "Memoires - Du Vel d'Hiv a la Bombe H", and read it. I am sorry to say that you are 100% correct regarding the technical errors in his book regarding the principles of design and operation of a modern radiation imploded thermonuclear weapon, which imply a couple of things:
- Either Dautray's book is written as a piece of disinformation or, more grave, technical ignorance for someone claiming the paternity of the French H bomb.
- If it is disinformation on purpose, this cannot be verified unless some internal CEA DAM reports or memorandums are declassified to ascertain the paternity. In the US, the government has declassified a redacted copy of the original Teller-Ulam memorandum (LAMS1225, March 1951)(2), and a redacted copy of Hans Bethe's "Memorandum on the History of the Thermonuclear Program" (May 28, 1952)(3), which leave no doubt on the paternity. You can find the declassified copies on our website.
- If it is technical ignorance, then Dautray's book is a big (deleted) on the French people, and a disgrace for the French Academy to elect a (deleted) as a member. On the other hand, politicians everywhere like a "yes" man that does what he is told, so I am not surprised at Dautray's nomination as head of the CEA.
As you know, we had a similarly unpleasant episode in the US, where many people, particularly at Los Alamos, have tried unsuccessfully to discredit Teller's seminal contribution to the invention of the US H-bomb, and the antagonism eventually led to the establishment of the Livermore laboratory.
In any case, I commend you for your energy and perseverance in trying to bring to light the truth. I am however surprised that you did not have many ex-DAM colleagues come forward more energetically with the truth, or that there is no public DAM history of such a momentous development.
Again, thank you for your contribution to the history of nuclear weapons development.
Your sincerely,
Ara Barsamian
Ref (1): THE REAL STORY BEHIND THE MAKING OF THE FRENCH HYDROGEN BOMB
Chaotic, Unsupported, but Successful
Pierre Billaud and Venance Journé
Nonproliferation Review, Vol. 15, No. 2, July 2008
Ref (2): Teller, E., Ulam, S. 'On Heterocatalytic Detonations I - Hydrodynamic Lenses and Radiation Mirrors', Los Alamos Report LAMS-1225, March 9, 1952; see http://www.nuclearnonproliferation.org/LAMS1225.pdf
Ref (3): Bethe, Hans, 'Memorandum on the History of the Thermonuclear Program', Los Alamos Memo TA411A, May 23, 1952; see http://www.nuclearnonproliferation.org/Bethe-T411A.pdf
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